Welcome to Smokin' Mike's Meats
Smokin' Mike's Meats, located in Gainesville, GA, is a culinary haven for barbecue enthusiasts. Renowned for its commitment to authentic flavors, Mike's specializes in meats smoked to perfection without overshadowing their natural taste. The menu features standout dishes like tender ribs, juicy pulled pork, and flavorful brisket, complemented by generous portions. Customers rave about the quality of the meats and the delightful sides, including mac and cheese and zesty stew. With a focus on takeout, the atmosphere is unpretentious yet welcoming, making Smokin' Mike's a must-visit for anyone craving genuine Southern barbecue. It's a true gem in the barbecue scene.
- 5646 Price Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506, United States Hotline: +1 706-974-4100
Nestled in the heart of Gainesville, Georgia, Smokin' Mike's Meats has established itself as a must-visit destination for barbecue enthusiasts. Known for its commitment to authentic, no-frills barbecue, this restaurant offers a menu that shines with quality and flavor, making it a standout in the competitive world of smoked meats.
At Smokin' Mike's, the philosophy is simple: don't mess with the meat. This approach is echoed in the glowing reviews from customers who rave about the brisket, ribs, and pulled pork—each dish showcasing the natural flavors imparted by fire and smoke. Many patrons note the excellent texture of the ribs, which are juicy and tender without being overly cooked. The harmonious balance of smoky goodness and the intrinsic taste of pork truly makes each bite satisfying.
In addition to the standout meats, the sides receive high praise too. The macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food, made with traditional elbow pasta and a basic cheese sauce that avoids the trendy fads of overly complex ingredients. The homemade slaw adds a refreshing crunch, while the hearty Brunswick stew is a favorite, with some describing it as just the right amount of spicy. Diners often find themselves returning for these generous portions, and some even say they can make multiple meals out of a single plate.
While Smokin' Mike's operates primarily as a take-out spot, its reputation for friendly service and quality food speaks volumes. Customers frequently commend the staff for their attentiveness and knowledge about the dishes, as well as the reasonable pricing for the bountiful portions provided. Whether you’re dining in the park or enjoying your meal at home, the experience remains top-notch.
For those craving an authentic Southern barbecue experience, Smokin' Mike's Meats delivers. The restaurant not only fulfills your appetite but also brings a sense of nostalgia with its classic approach to barbecue. Come hungry, and be prepared to savor the delectable offerings that have made this establishment a cherished gem in Gainesville.

Excellent ribs! Nice texture and not cooked so long the meat dries and falls off. Good smoke but you can still taste the pork. Sauce is a bit sweet for my taste. I would love a “N Carolina style” vinegar, it would cut the pork fat so nicely. But I understand keeping it simple with one sauce. Smoked kielbasa is excellent. Nice meaty beans and chunky flavorful stew (spicy to my wife, but just right for me). Well worth the drive off 400 or 985 to get there.

Mike does not mess with the meat. It's got no added flavoring. Just what comes from fire and smoke. Chicken tastes like chicken. Pork tastes like pork. Both are good, plain, BBQ. Stew: Very good; May be a bit spicy for some delicates. Meat, corn, bell pepper, tomato. Chicken: Generous; Plate came with 4 boneless thighs; Good flavor; A bit more char than needed; Enough for lunch and dinner. Pulled Pork: Generous portion; Good flavor; Enough for lunch and dinner. Slaw: Tasty; Mayo slaw; Some sweet vinegar in there; Is that celery seed? Whatever it is, nice touch. Macaroni and cheese: The real thing; Elbows; Basic cheese sauce; Not that over the top stuff made with ziti, artificial gruyere flavoring, truffle oil, and Velveeta. Service: Serve me that much food. Excellent. Atmosphere: Hint of sweet wood smoke and toasted brussel sprouts. Seating: Take out only. We went to a nearby park. We'll be back. Consistency is good. Applogies. I'm not too good with the Cubot phone camera.

I was looking for good barbecue lo and behold I found here at Mike’s! The brisket plate was enormous for the money better than a bargain! Th e staff was friendly and knowledgeable about their food. You definitely get more food for the price. The smoked chicken breast was delicious and I did try the pork belly was very flavorful and tasty! The bark on the brisket along with a smoke ring was in point! Please give this spot a try but come hungry oh yeah I think take out only. The only problem I had was no homemade sweet tea or sweet potato crunch! Will definitely return!

Born and raised in the South and this is some of the best smoked meat I've had! Mike's sauce recipe isn't anything to sneeze at either. Portions were generous, enough for this girl to make another meal of. Next gathering we have, I'll be ordering for pick up. Totally worth the drive!

SMACKIN!!!! This BBQ spot is AMAZING!!!! The ribs, chicken, pulled pork are all delicious. Most of their sides are also wonderful. Portion sizes are enough to feed me for 2 meals. I highly recommend. They do not have seating though, it’s a pick up and go situation.

I don't know what it is, but it's hard to find good BBQ in GA and I've lived here my whole life. I immediately knew this would be one of the rare gems just by the way it looks on the outside and inside. It's no frills and isn't trying to get cute with it -- it's all about the food and service and that's it. The employees were very friendly without being fake, which I appreciated. You can see all of the food in the hot case so you know what you're ordering, and it all looked incredible. They also serve the food with the sauce on the side, so they're not trying to hide the quality of their meats by drowning it in sauce like some places do. Good barbeque doesn't need sauce and they're confident that theirs doesnt -- and they're right. The prices are also very reasonable for how much food you get. I didn't watch the rib plate I ordered being made, but when I picked up the box it felt like they put a brick inside and I was very pleasantly surprised when I opened it up and saw the portions. The only less than great part about the meal was that my smoked wings were dry, but I ordered 10 minutes before they closed so that's most likely my fault for getting them at the end of the day. They had great flavor and I'm sure they're much more moist early in the day. I'll definitely be back to confirm. The ribs, mac n cheese, brunswick stew, and banana pudding were all great. I can't speak to the burnt ends since this was my first time ever trying burnt ends, so I have nothing to compare it to. Anyway, highly recommend this spot!

Delicious! We had the burnt tips, fall of the bone half rack of ribs and the Hawaiian chicken over rice. Sides were macaroni salad, fried cabbage and twice baked potatoes. The chicken was so juicy and the juice over the rice...omg...”chef’s kiss”. Everything was great! Large portions! The people that worked there were helpful and everyone was looking to wait on us with a smile.

WOW!!! Went here for Father’s Day with the family because we had heard good things but never tried it. At first I thought the prices were steep, but after seeing how much food is in each plate- you definitely get the most bang for your buck. You could probably make 3-4 sandwiches out of 1 of the pulled pork plates. And the taste is unmatched. We tried every meat, even the sausage, and almost every side. The chicken was tender, flavorful pulled pork, delicious brisket, and the ribs were thick. Plus the BBQ sauce was VERY good- even for someone who doesn’t usually care for BBQ. Potato casserole & Mac and cheese sides were my favorite but none of the sides were bad. Service was fast & friendly. Owner even let us try some of his gumbo he was making which was very good! Only regret is that we didn’t try the banana pudding. It did look really good. Definitely a place that verifies that hole-in-the-wall places usually have the best food. Definitely will be back when we can. Worth the trip. Pic is from home- more of a takeout place than dine-in restaurant.